Faulty Duo-Art Recordings
By Craig Brougher
Robbie wondered what could be wrong with the Duo-Art recordings heard by critic Edward Rothstein (Digest 961216).
It's possible that the pianos recorded were not in perfect condition. Very few rebuilders are also musicians with a critical ear, and their handiwork is a matter of "pride". To suggest that they could do a better job would likely destroy further cooperation.
Also, my experience is that some art/music critics are more concerned with how their contemporaries view their opinions than the ultimate validity of the opinion itself. When you have heard a few discouraging comments already from your fellow art critics in regard to reproducer performances, and then it comes your turn to critique one, you will find out what I mean.
If you want an accurate story on what the piano can _really_ do, find the newspaper reviews which describe the "comparison concerts", like when every major art critic in New York City was seated together at Carnegie Hall, comparing the performance of the Duo-Art with the live performance by the very artist who made the roll. I suggest that it would be a lot more reliable.
Craig Brougher
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(Message sent Tue 17 Dec 1996, 15:51:17 GMT, from time zone GMT.) |
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